Method and apparatus for well bore work

ABSTRACT

A method and apparatus for re-entering a well bore and working on said well bore has a fluid diverting element slidably mounted within a body. The fluid diverting element is movable in response to an actuating element from a first position at which fluid is directed substantially only through a port on the side of the body to a second position at which fluid is directed substantially only through a second end of the body.

United States Patent Seabourn Apr. 22, 1975 [54] METHOD AND APPKRATUSFOR WELL 3,l996l3 8/1965 Malott .4 175/5 BORE WORK 3.306.365 2/1967Kammerer loo/154 X 3.647.007 3/1972 Norton 1 w 1 1. 175/5 [75] Inventor:Ed 0. rn. f lk. Engl n 3.713.490 1/1973 Watson .1 166/154 x [73]Assignee: Phillips Petroleum Company,

Barnes/mev Okla Prmxary Lxammer-Ernest R. Purser AssistantExaminer-Richard E. Favreau 122] Filed: Feb. 5. 1973 Appl. No: 329,540

[1.5. CI. 166/5; 166/154; 166/224 Int. Cl. E2lb 7/12 Field of Search166/.5. .6, 154, 155, 224;

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Bates ct a1. 175/231 X [57]ABSTRACT A method and apparatus for re-entering a well bore and workingon said well bore has a fluid diverting element slidably mounted withina body. The fluid divert ing element is movable in response to anactuating element from a first position at which fluid is directedsubstantially only through a port on the side of the body to a secondposition at which fluid is directed substantially only through a secondend of the body.

l4 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures miNTEmPnzzasrs SHLET 1 Bf 5 ii lwnIIIIIFIIIFIL/I fl w 4 J PATENTEUIIZZ SniU 3 8f 5 PATENIEDAPRZZIQYS SHLEIl 0F 5 PATENTEUAPRZZISYS sum 5 q 5 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR WELL BOREWORK In the art of drilling, working over, and producing wellspositioned beneath the surface of a body ofwater, it is sometimesextremely difficult to guide a conduit into the well bore owing to thecurrent of the water and wind and wave action. After the conduit ispositioned in the well bore, it is then often desirable to dischargefluid from substantially only the lower end of the conduit or to movefluid from the well bore through the lower end of the conduit andupwardly through the conduit to the upper end of the conduit for therecov ery thereof.

This invention therefore resides in a method and apparatus forreentering and working over a well bore where a fluid diverting elementis slidably mounted within a body. The fluid diverting element ismovable in response to an actuating element from a first position atwhich fluid is directed substantially only through a port on the side ofthe body to a second position at which fluid is directed substantiallyonly through a second end of the body.

Other aspects, objects, and advantages of the present invention willbecome apparent from a study of the dis closure, the appended claims,and the drawing.

The drawings are diagrammatic views, in partial section, of theapparatus of this nvention.

FIG. 1 shows the apparatus associated with a drill stem;

FIG. 2 shows the body of the apparatus;

FIG. 3 shows the fluid diverting element;

FIG. 3A shows an end view of the fluid diverting element;

FIG. 4 shows the apparatus with the element positioned at the firstposition; and

FIG. 5 shows the apparatus with the element positioned at the secondposition.

Referring to FIG. I, the re-entry tool assembly 2 is associated at oneend to a conduit 4 and at the other end to a drill bit 6, for example.The fluid diverting element 8 (see FIG. 3) is at its first position andfluid is being discharged from the port 10 of the body 12 (see FIG. 2)for aligning the bit with the well bore I4 for entry into the well bore14. In the example application shown in FIG. 1, the well bore ispositioned beneath the surface of a body of water 16. Operation of theassembly 2 and associated equipment will be later more fully described.

Referring to FIG. 2, a body 12 of the assembly has first, second, andmiddle portions I8, 20, 22, walls 24, a longitudinal opening 26extending therethrough, and the port It] opening through the walls 24 atthe first portion 18 of the body 12.

The longitudinal opening 26 of the body I2 has a first diameter (D,) atthe first portion I8, a second diameter (D at the second portion 20 anda third diameter (D at the middle portion 22 of the body 12. The thirddiameter D is larger than said first and second diameters D D forpurposes that will be later more fully described.

Referring to FIG. 3, a fluid diverting element 8 has first and secondends 28, 30; first, second, and middle portions 32, 34, 36; walls 38; alongitudinal opening 40 extending through the element 8; and a port 42opening through the element walls 38 at the middle portion 36 of theelement 8.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the fluid diverting ele ment 8 is positionedin the longitudinal opening 26 of the body I2 and is slidably movable inthe body 12 between a first position (see FIG. 4) at which the ports 10.42 are in fluid communication one with the other and the second andmiddle portions 20, 22 of the longitudinal opening 26 of the body 12 aresealed for passing fluid through substantially only the ports I0, 42 atthe first position and a second position (see FIG. 5) at which the port42 and longitudinal opening 40 of the element 8 are in fluidcommunication with substantially only the second and middle portions 20,22 of the longitudinal opening 26 of the body I2 and the port 10 of thebody I2 is substantially sealed for discharging fluid substantially onlythrough the second end 44 of the assembly 2.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, annular sealing elements 46, such asO-rings, for example, are preferably positioned in the annulus 48between the element 8 and the body 12 for sealing the annulus at theselocations at both the first and second positions of the element 8.

If the sealing elements are maintained on the body I2, at least two ofthe sealing elements 46 are utilized and positioned at locations A and Bas shown in FIG. 2. The seals 46 can be maintained on the element 8 inwhich positions at least 3 of the elements are utilized and positionedat locations C, D, and E as shown on FIG. 3. It is preferred that thethree sealing elements 46 be utilized as shown on FIGS. 4 and S in orderto maintain the apparatus of simple construction.

A retaining means 50, such as, for example, a shear pin, is associatedwith the fluid diverting element 8 and the body 12 for releasablymaintaining the element 8 at the first position as will later be morefully described with respect to the operation of the apparatus.

Where the retaining means 50 is a shear pin, the shear pin 50 extendsthrough the body wall 24, preferably at a location between the port II]of the body 12 and the first end 52 ofthe assembly 2 and into the walls38 of the element 8 at the first position of said element as shown inFIG. 4.

The size of material from which the shear pin 50 is constructed isdependent upon the preselected force desired for movement of the element8 from the first to the second position and can easily be determined byone skilled in the art. One particularly useful shear pin is an aluminumrod having a tensile strength of about 42,000 psi.

Referring to FIG. 3, a cap 54, for example, seals the second end 30 ofthe fluid diverting element 8 for directing fluid from port '42 throughthe annulus 48 at the middle and second portions 22, 20 of the body atthe second position of the element 8.

The cap 54 has first and second end portions 56, 58. The first endportion 56 of the cap 54 is releasably connected to the second end 30 ofthe diverting element 8 by mating threads for example, for removing afreedropped actuating element 60 and returning the diverting element 8to the first position. The second end portion 58 of the cap 54preferably has a plurality of lugs 62 extending outwardly therefromwhich are of dimensions sufficient for preventing the cap from passinginto the second portion 20 of the body 12 and maintaining the apparatusof simple construction. Other means can be provided such as a stopshoulder extending inwardly from the body wall 24, but such means tomaintain the element 8 within the body 12 at the second position wouldbe subject to erosion and damage and would result in waste to rebuild orconstruct as opposed to the lugs 62 of the cap 54.

As shown in FIG. 3A. it is preferred that there be about 4 lugspositioned about the cap 54 at substantially equal arcuate distances onefrom the other to provide a stable seating of the element 8 on the body12.

In order to assure relatively unrestricted flow through the apparatus atthe second position of the element 8. it is preferred that the annulusdefined by the body walls 24, the lugs 62, and the cap 54 have a minimumtotal cross-sectional area at least as great as the totalcross-sectional area of port 42.

In order to maintain the element 8 of high strength yet provide for thepassage of relatively large volumes of fluid through its port 42, it ispreferred that there be a plurality of ports formed on the middleportion 36 of the element 8. Further. it is preferred that an annulargroove 64 be formed about the outer surface of the element 8 and openinto the ports 42 formed thereon for assuring the flow of fluid fromport 42 through port at the first position of the element 8 when theports 42 and H) are arcuately displaced one from the other.

The element 8 can be moved from the first to the second position bydropping a free-falling actuating element 60 or running an element on awire line or conduit. for example. It is preferred, however, that theactuating element 60 be a deformable ball 60 and that the divertingelement 8 having an annular seat 66 extend ing into the longitudinalopening 40 from an inner surface 68 of the element 8. In thisconstruction, the annular seat 66 has an inside diameter less than thediameter of the ball 60 for seating the ball thereon and passing theball therethrough. Further. it is preferred that the second portion 34of the element 8 have a length greater than about the diameter of thedeformable ball 60 in order to prevent the restriction of flow throughport 42.

[n the method of this invention, the assembly 2 is connected to aconduit 4, for example, with the element 8 maintained at the firstposition by. for example. the shear pin 50. The conduit 70 is moveddownwardly through the body of water 16 to an elevation adjacent theelevation of the well bore 14.

As viewed from an underwater television camera. by a diver. or othermeans, if the end 72 of the conduit is not aligned with the well bore14, fluid is passed downwardly through the conduit 4 and substantiallyonly outwardly from the body port 10. The force of the fluid beingdischarged from the side of the conduit string moves the lower end 72 ofthe conduit 4 into vertical alignment with the well bore 14 at whichalignment the conduit 4 is lowered into the well bore 14 and to adesired location in the conduit as shown by broken lines on FIG. I.

The deformable ball 60 is thereafter dropped into the bonduit foractuating the assembly 2, closing the port l0, and opening the end 72 ofthe conduit into fluid communication along the length ofthe conduit 4.Fluid is thereafter discharged from substantially only the end 72 of theconduit for drilling purposes, for example. or into the conduit 4 viasubstantially only the end 72 recovering fluid during workovers orproducing the well, for example.

An example of the material of the ball and relative dimensions of theinside diameter ofthe seat 66 and the outside diameter of the deformableball are as follows:

Material of ball:

Solid Hycar butadiene/acrylonitrile copolymer rubber of 80 Shore Ahardness Outside diameter: 2 /8 inches 1.Dv of seat 66: 2.078 inches Inan example movement of the deformable ball 60, the ball first seats onthe annular seat 66 which terminates flow through ports 10, 42. Fluidpressure can be increased on the ball by pumping fluid into the upperend of the conduit 4. At a first preselected force on the ball. theshear pin is severed and the element 8 is moved to the second position.Fluid is pumped into the conduit 4 and the pressure is increased toplace a second preselected force on the deformable ball which causes theball to deform. pass through the seat 66, and be moved into the secondportion 34 of the element 8. With the ball at this position, fluid inthe conduit is in communication with port 42 and fluid can be passedthrough the conduit, the annulus 48 and into or from the end 72 of theconduit 4.

Other modifications and alterations of this invention will becomeapparent to those skilled in the art from the foregoing discussion andaccompanying drawing. and it should be understood that this invention isnot to be unduly limited thereto.

What is claimed is:

l. A reentry tool assembly. comprising:

a body having first. second, and middle portions.

walls, a longitudinal opening extending therethrough, and a port openingthrough the walls at the first portion. said longitudinal opening beingof a first diameter at the first portion, a second diameter at thesecond portion and a third diameter at the middle portion, said thirddiameter being larger than said first and second diameters;

a fluid diverting element having first and second ends, first, second,and middle portions, walls. a longitudinal opening extending through theelement. and a port opening through the element walls at the middleportion. said element being slidably movable in the body between a firstposition at which the ports are in fluid communication one with theother and the second and middle portions of the longitudinal opening ofthe body are sealed and a second position at which the port andlongitudinal opening of the element are in fluid communication with thesecond and middle portions of the longitudinal opening of the body. theport of the body is sealed, and the element is within the body;

first means for sealing the second end of the fluid diverting elementand passing fluid from the element port through the annulus between theelement and the middle and second portions of the body at the secondposition of the element; and

second means for releasably maintaining the element at the firstposition.

2. An apparatus. as set forth in claim 1, wherein the first means is acap having first and second end portions, said first end portion beingreleasably connected to the second end of the fluid diverting elementand said second end portion having a plurality of lugs ex tendingoutwardly therefrom which are of dimensions sufficient for preventingthe cap from passing into the second portion of the body.

3. An apparatus, as set forth in claim 2, wherein there are at leastfour lugs positioned about the cap at substantially equal arcuatedistances one from the other.

4. An apparatus, as set forth in claim 2. wherein the annulus defined bythe walls of the body. the lugs and the cap have a minimum totalcross-sectional area at least as great as the total area of the port ofthe element.

S. An apparatus, as set forth in claim 1, wherein there are a pluralityof ports formed on the middle portion of the element.

6. An apparatus. as set forth in claim 1, wherein an annular groove isformed about the outer surface of the element and opened into theelement port.

7. An apparatus, as set forth in claim 1, wherein there are at least twoannular sealing elements positioned in the annulus between the elementand the body on opposed sides of the port of the body.

8. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1. wherein the second meanscomprises a shear pin extending through the body walls at a locationbetween the port of the body and a first end of the body and into thewalls of the element at the first position of said element.

9. An apparatus, as set forth in claim 1, including a deformable ball;

an annular seat extending into the longitudinal opening about an innersurface of the element at the first portion of the element, said annularseat having an inside diameter less than the diameter of the ball forseating of the ball thereon and passing the ball therethrough; and

said second portion of the element having a length greater than aboutthe diameter of the deformable ball.

10. An apparatus for reentry into a well bore, as at the bottom of thesea which comprises 1. a tubing adapted to be lowered to sea bottom andinto a well bore into the ground under the sea,

2. a lateral port at the lower end of said tubing adapted to dischargetherefrom laterally a fluid under pressure from within said tubing,

3. an opening at the bottom of said tubing adapted to dischargedownwardly out the bottom thereof a fluid under pressure from withinsaid tubing.

4. means in one position closing the said opening at the bottom of saidtubing and while in said position permitting fluid to egress from saidlateral port, said means in another position closing said lateral portand permitting fluid to egress from said opening at the bottom of saidtubing and 5. means actuated by an increase in the pressure in saidtubing the move said first mentioned means from said one position tosaid another position.

ll. An apparatus according to claim [0 wherein the first mentioned meansincludes a hollow, releasablyheld, slidable, ported body adapted toreceive therein from the tubing above said first mentioned means a resilient plugging element adapted to plug the hollow body againstpressure in said tubing above said body said body responsive to pressureincrease in said tubing being released and sliding in said tubing toclose said lateral port and open said opening at the bottom of saidtubing.

l2. A method for positioning an open bottomed drill string for entryinto a well bore in the surface of the ground under water whichcomprises:

providing in the lower end of said pipe a section containing a lateralport and within said section a fluid diverting means adapted to movewithin said section to close the end of the pipe and open the lateralport when in its upper position and to open the end of the pipe andclose the lateral port when in its lower position. securing said fluiddiverting means in its upper position so that it will remain in saidposition until it is desired to allow it to move to its lower positionlowering the pipe string downward through said water until the end ofthe pipe string is at an elevation adjacent the surface opening of thewell bore.

pumping fluid into said pipe string and out through said lateral port inan amount sufficient to cause the lower end of the pipe string to bepropelled into alignment with the well bore.

and then applying sufficient force to the fluid diverting means in saidlateral port section of the pipe to force it to move from its upperposition to its lower position thereby closing the lateral port andopening the end of the pipe string so that fluid may be pumped out thebottom opening of the pipe string only.

13. A method according to claim 12 wherein the fluid diverting means ismoved from its upper to its lower position by raising the fluid pressureon the fluid diverting means by blocking off said fluid diverting meansat a point above the lateral port until the pressure is such that thefluid diverting means breaks loose from its secured upper position.

14. A method according to claim 13 wherein the fluid diverting means isblocked off by a deformable ball which will pass through the upperportion of said fluid diverting means to the lower portion of said meansafter the pressure exceeds the amount necessary to force the fluiddiverting means to break loose from its upper position, said fluiddiverting means being designed so that said ball when in the lowerportion of said fluid diverting means will not prevent fluid fromflowing out the bottom end of the pipe string.

* t i i

1. a tubing adapted to be lowered tO sea bottom and into a well boreinto the ground under the sea,
 1. A reentry tool assembly, comprising: abody having first, second, and middle portions, walls, a longitudinalopening extending therethrough, and a port opening through the walls atthe first portion, said longitudinal opening being of a first diameterat the first portion, a second diameter at the second portion and athird diameter at the middle portion, said third diameter being largerthan said first and second diameters; a fluid diverting element havingfirst and second ends, first, second, and middle portions, walls, alongitudinal opening extending through the element, and a port openingthrough the element walls at the middle portion, said element beingslidably movable in the body between a first position at which the portsare in fluid communication one with the other and the second and middleportions of the longitudinal opening of the body are sealed and a secondposition at which the port and longitudinal opening of the element arein fluid communication with the second and middle portions of thelongitudinal opening of the body, the port of the body is sealed, andthe element is within the body; first means for sealing the second endof the fluid diverting element and passing fluid from the element portthrough the annulus between the element and the middle and secondportions of the body at the second position of the element; and secondmeans for releasably maintaining the element at the first position.
 1. Areentry tool assembly, comprising: a body having first, second, andmiddle portions, walls, a longitudinal opening extending therethrough,and a port opening through the walls at the first portion, saidlongitudinal opening being of a first diameter at the first portion, asecond diameter at the second portion and a third diameter at the middleportion, said third diameter being larger than said first and seconddiameters; a fluid diverting element having first and second ends,first, second, and middle portions, walls, a longitudinal openingextending through the element, and a port opening through the elementwalls at the middle portion, said element being slidably movable in thebody between a first position at which the ports are in fluidcommunication one with the other and the second and middle portions ofthe longitudinal opening of the body are sealed and a second position atwhich the port and longitudinal opening of the element are in fluidcommunication with the second and middle portions of the longitudinalopening of the body, the port of the body is sealed, and the element iswithin the body; first means for sealing the second end of the fluiddiverting element and passing fluid from the element port through theannulus between the element and the middle and second portions of thebody at the second position of the element; and second means forreleasably maintaining the element at the first position.
 2. Anapparatus, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the first means is a caphaving first and second end portions, said first end portion beingreleasably connected to the second end of the fluid diverting elementand said second end portion having a plurality of lugs extendingoutwardly therefrom which are of dimensions sufficient for preventingthe cap from passing into the second portion of the body.
 2. a lateralport at the lower end of said tubing adapted to discharge therefromlaterally a fluid under pressure from within said tubing,
 3. Anapparatus, as set forth in claim 2, wherein there are at least four lugspositioned about the cap at substantially equal arcuate distances onefrom the other.
 3. an opening at the bottom of said tubing adapted todischarge downwardly out the bottom thereof a fluid under pressure fromwithin said tubing,
 4. means in one position closing the said opening atthe bottom of said tubing and while in said position permitting fluid toegress from said lateral port, said means in another position closingsaid lateral port and permitting fluid to egress from said opening atthe bottom of said tubing and
 4. An apparatus, as set forth in claim 2,wherein the annulus defined by the walls of the body, the lugs, and thecap have a minimum total cross-sectional area at least as great as thetotal area of the port of the element.
 5. An apparatus, as set forth inclaim 1, wherein there are a plurality of ports formed on the middleportion of the element.
 5. means actuated by an increase in the pressurein said tubing the move said first mentioned means from said oneposition to said another position.
 6. An apparatus, as set forth inclaim 1, wherein an annular groove is formed about the outer surface ofthe element and opened into the element port.
 7. An apparatus, as setforth in claim 1, wherein there are at least two annular sealingelements positioned in the annulus between the element and the body onopposed sides of the port of the body.
 8. An apparatus, as set forth inclaim 1, wherein the second means comprises a shear pin extendingthrough the body walls at a location between the port of the body and afirst end of the body and into the walls of the element at the firstposition of said element.
 9. An apparatus, as set forth in claim 1,including a deformable ball; an annular seat extending into thelongitudinal opening about an inner surface of the element at the firstportion of the element, said annular seat having an inside diameter lessthan the diameter of the ball for seating of the ball thereon andpassing the ball therethrough; and said second portion of the elementhaving a length greater than about the diameter of the deformable ball.10. An apparatus for reentry into a well bore, as at the bottom of thesea which comprises
 11. An apparatus according to claim 10 wherein thefirst mentioned means includes a hollow, releasably-held, slidable,ported body adapted to receive therein from the tubing above said firstmentioned means a resilient plugging element adapted to plug the hollowbody against pressure in said tubing above said body, said bodyresponsive to pressure increase in said tubing being released andsliding in said tubing to close said lateral port and open said openingat the bottom of said tubing.
 12. A method for positioning an openbottomed drill string for entry into a well bore in the surface of theground under water which comprises: providing in the lower end of saidpipe a section containing a lateral port and within said section a fluiddiverting means adapted to move within said section to close the end ofthe pipe and open the lateral port when in its upper position and toopen the end of the pipe and close the lateral port when in its lowerposition, securing said fluid diverting means in its upper position sothat it will remain in said position until it is desired to allow it tomove to its lower position, lowering the pipe string downward throughsaid water until the end of the pipe string is at an elevation adjacentthe surface opening of the well bore, pumping fluid into said pipestring and out through said lateral port in an amount sufficient tocause the lower end of the pipe string to be propelled into alignmentwith the well bore, and then applying sufficient force to the fluiddiverting means in said lateral port section of the pipe to force it tomove from its upper position to its lower position thereby closing thelateral port and opening the end of the pipe string so that fluid may bepumped out the bottom opening of the pipe string only.
 13. A methodaccording to claim 12 wherein the fluid diverting means is moved fromits upper to its lower position by raising the fluid pressure on thefluid diverting means by blocking off said fluid diverting means at apoint above the lateral port until the pressure is such that the fluiddiverting means breaks loose from its secured upper position.